Robert Jenrick has insisted the Tory leadership race is “neck and neck” – even though a key survey has given rival Kemi Badenoch a massive lead.
Ex-Immigration Minister said there is “everything to fight for” as he tries to overturn Ms Badenoch’s 24-point advantage. A survey of party members by Conservative Home suggested she has the support of 55%, compared to Mr Jenrick’s 33%.
Just 14% are undecided. The winner will finally be announced on November 2 after an arduous leadership race which saw favourite James Cleverly knocked out in a suspected case of botched tactical voting.
The two hard-right candidates are going to head-to-head as Tory members – who previously inflicted Liz Truss on the nation – pick their favourite. The duo have publicly disagreed over Ms Badenoch’s campaign, which has been light on policy. Mr Jenrick has insisted members should know what they’re voting for.
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Following Conservative Home’s results, based on a survey of 828 party members, he was asked if it was all over for him. Mr Jenrick responded: “Absolutely not. This is neck and neck.
“That’s a survey, not a poll. The last poll that we had was done by YouGov several weeks ago, and showed it was absolutely neck and neck, the tightest leadership race that we’ve had for many years. There’s everything to fight for and I’m certainly going off around the country, as I have throughout the summer, and I think my message is resonating with members and with the public that we need to learn our lessons.”
And in a dig at Ms Badenoch, he said: “(Members) don’t want vague promises of policy commissions which will report back in months or years to come. They want action now.”
In contrast Ms Badenoch has argued the Tories “have time” to reflect on what their manifesto commitments should be and “don’t need to rush”. Speaking on Friday, Mr Jenrick said the UK and Nato appear to be “dangerously exposed”.
He warned the Government “must wake up to the next big threat on the horizon, and that is China “. The former minister said spending 3% of GDP on defence should be the new standard for the military bloc, expected of all member states.
He said welfare cuts should fund the commitment, as Britain should be “leading by the force of our example”. Mr Jenrick and Ms Badenoch were the final two candidates put forward to members after four rounds of voting by MPs.
Dame Priti Patel, Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat and Mr Cleverly were all cast aside – despite the latter’s plea for fellow Tories to “be more normal”. He and Mr Tugendhat were eliminated earlier this month after putting their case forward at the annual party conference in Birmingham.